Coming Home to A Cargo Container

Initially, the idea of living in a used 20 foot by 40 foot steel vessel measuring had “homeless” written all over it. Nonetheless, many container homes have been feted for their beauty as well as practicality.

Strong as steel

Container homes can withstand the elements and retain heat in cold weather. They are also fire and termite resistant. They are easy to acquire and can be painted, covered, or decorated repeatedly without risk or extra cost. Some owners utilize more than one container to create multi-level or two-storey homes. Others have even built homes inside containers.

Low cost and high creativity

The prices of cargo containers start at $1,000 and could go as high as $8,000 depending on its condition. At the end of the day, some cargo homeowners claim to have spent 60% less than the cost of a typical house. Interested builders should be able to negotiate with shipping companies for individual or bulk sales.

Wrestling with tradition

Traditionalists who oppose cargo architecture maintain that real houses need to be made of wood, straw, and other sustainable materials, staying as natural as possible. However with the cost of these materials steadily rising along with the price of labour, it’s no wonder cargo architecture has taken off the way it has. Builders in Perth WA aren’t likely to offer cargo designs soon, but they’re still fun to look at.